Travel experiences as a source of motility: evidence from a study of adult women

Transport studies continue to grapple with the challenge of evaluating the benefits of transport policy in contributing to wellbeing. Motility (mobility capital) defined as the personal capacity for travel, captures the life-enhancing aspect of mobility, separate from the value of a destination activity. Using the experiences collected from 24 Israeli women between the ages of 25–65, this paper demonstrates the role of mobility experiences in promoting motility, the relationship with social and cultural capital and the contribution to their personal wellbeing. Socially structured group identities, including gender roles, alongside community and family, define a starting point for motility. Personal choices and travel experiences build on this starting point. By capturing the benefits for wellbeing that can result from more diverse and inclusive travel opportunities, motility can be a tool for more inclusive transport policies.